Riverton City Journal | February 2023

EachDecember, Riverton High School celebrates the holiday season with their Silver Rush charity drive.

During the month of December, students raise money for a local charity by doing odd jobs around the community, hosting community events and asking for donations from local businesses. This year, they raised more than $200,000.

“Silver Rush 2022 is in the books,” the Riverton High School Instagram account posted on Dec. 21, 2022. “What an amazing accomplishment this community and student body achieved. We received some last-minute donations for a total $262,229.23 for the Children’s Justice Center. Way to go Silverwolves!”

This year’s Silver Rush recipient was the Children’s Justice Center. The CJC has locations across the Wasatch Front, and the Salt Lake County CJC serves more than 3,200 children, teens and family members each year. The mission of the CJC is to provide a reliable place for children during the child abuse investigative process.

“Child abuse is a traumatic and devastating experience for both children and their families,” the Salt Lake County Children’s Justice Center website states. “Victims are often confused and blame themselves. The Children’s Justice Center is a home-like, child-friendly facility where children receive coordinated services during the child abuse investigative process by decreasing secondary trauma that may be caused by the criminal justice and child protection systems.”

By Morgan

Utah. Financed by Altabank.

Journey of Hope brings meaningful change to trauma survivors

For20 years, Shannon Miller-Cox served as a law enforcement officer so she could lock up dangerous people. As a survivor of childhood and adult sexual assault, she vowed to get perpetrators off the streets.

She came to realize the inequality in the justice system, where women in poverty had harsher sentences and were incarcerated longer than women of privilege. Miller-Cox retired from the police force and started Journey of Hope in 2014, a nonprofit serving abused and/or incarcerated women.

Jacey Thornton, Journey of Hope economic development lead, said the program saved her life. The nonprofit’s mission is to mentor women before and after they’re released from prison and help them navigate issues like housing, food and jobs, but also to support them as they move forward.

“We help them start their journey of hope and healing through peer support-led case management. It’s rewarding, it’s painful, it’s a lot of emotion, but as peers, we understand what they’ve been through,” Thornton said. “We provide the immaterial things like empowering women with a strength-based, power-centered focus to help them see how powerful they are. We really see people where they are and love them, without boundaries.”

Many women in the Journey of Hope program are breaking the cycles of generational trauma and changing the direction of their lives and the lives of their children. The organization is focused on ending the shame and the stigma that comes with a history of sexual and domestic abuse, incarceration, homelessness, mental illness.

Built on a platform of community, structure and safety, Journey of Hope’s mentors understand the correlation between childhood trauma, substance abuse and incarceration and addresses those aspects to help women find success.

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By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

“For these women, there’s no safety and no security. Our first thing is to help them feel safe and let them know we’re always here,” Thornton said. “I found as I’ve shared my story, it empowers others to be bold, to not fear what people think about them.”

Thornton’s life journey took a detour when she was arrested and incarcerated as a college student. As a first-generation college student, the experience destroyed her. She asked her corrections officers to help her find a way to finish her degree, and in the process she learned she was surrounded by beautiful and caring people.

When she was released from prison, she started Seeds of Hope, a nonprofit focused on a community garden where women could find power in horticulture therapy. As a trans-

gender woman, she has stepped into her role as a mentor and encourages women to find their voice.

“When we say people are heroes or villains, we’re really simplifying the human experience. We’ve got to do better,” she said. “We’re human and make terrible mistakes, but we are so much more than the worst things we’ve ever done.”

Journey of Hope was recognized by SelectHealth for the work it does for women in the community. The group was awarded a $3,000 grant to further their mission.

“The SelectHealth Awards is designed to highlight the notable work and contributions of organizations that are making an incredible impact in our community,” said Marti Lolli, SelectHealth president and CEO. “These

awards allow SelectHealth to continue to show support for key partners and organizations who have a shared mission and wake up every day thinking about how to make a difference in the communities we serve.”

Headquartered in Sandy at 8160 S. Highland Drive, Suite A-3, Journey of Hope has served hundreds of women across Salt Lake County. For more information, or to make a donation, visit JourneyOfHopeUtah.org.

“We walk alongside you and we provide in a way that no one else does,” Thornton said. “We’re here only to serve other people….They saved my life. We’ve lost so many lives in the last few years and it’s gut-wrenching.” l

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From left, ABC 4’s “Good Things Utah” host Surae Chinn joins Jacey Thornton, Journey of Hope, economic development lead; Renee LeGrant, Journey of Hope executive director; and GTU host Nicea DeGering. Journey of Hope’s nonprofit platform received a $3,000 grant from SelectHealth for the work it does in the community. (Photo courtesy of Kimmi Wolf)

Jordan District’s seventh-graders discover career agricultural opportunities

By Julie Slama | j.slama@yahoo.com

Atthe Salt Lake County fairgrounds, there were animals — alpacas, goats, birds, wild horses; fruits and vegetables — apples, peaches, pumpkins; as well as animal skeletons, tractors, flowers, water experiments, healthy-eating diagrams and more.

It was Jordan School District’s sixth annual agriculture day. More than 4,800 seventh-grade students from all the district’s middle schools, including its virtual middle school, learned from 56 different organizations about agriculture, said Shauna West, Jordan School District’s career and technical education assistant.

“Seventh-graders in the state are required to take a college and career awareness class, with 17 of those days being devoted to agriculture,” she said. “We decided to hold this event to help our teachers educate seventh-graders about all aspects of agriculture.”

The broad spectrum showed sheep shearing to drone use in agriculture. Students learned about things ranging from the price of machinery that gets wheat onto a dining room table to the importance of good nutrition.

“We’re hoping students learned the important part that agriculture plays in their everyday life, that their bread does not come from the shelf, their milk does not come from the refrigerator. We wanted to give them an opportunity to see and smell and feel what it’s all about, to get that hands-on experience,” West said.

She said teachers prepared students beforehand and about 120 Future Farmers of America and science high school students set up for the day as well as escorted student groups in rotations and answered their questions.

Elk Ridge career and technical education teacher Steven Asp was overseeing two groups of his students through the rotations.

“I want my students to become aware of all the different career clusters, and agriculture is a big one,” he said. “I love that students are getting exposed to where food comes first-hand from people in the industry to having the opportunity to learn about clubs and careers in high school and college. This is much more interactive than a discussion and I love that we’re getting out of the classroom to experience it.”

Elk Ridge seventh-grader Ola Hamadi was excited to see the sheep and to learn about them. She and classmate Emery Ross just learned that they needed to have plenty of vegetables and protein to eat healthy.

They had listened to Jordan School District nutrition coordinators Lisa Totorica and Jodie Bowles.

“We taught them about the five groups of food on ‘My Plate,’” Totorica said.

Bowles said that not all the students were aware that Jordan School District offers students breakfast with fresh bread every morning.

“We talked to them about some of their favorites – chicken sandwiches and spicy orange chicken – and they were able to understand the nutrition of the meals,” she said. “It’s amazing how smart they are.”

Students rotated to learn that alpacas, the shortest member of the camel family, have an average lifespan of 22 years, and then to learning about aviation technology in agriculture for a college class choice. They also learned about wild mustangs in nearby Butterfield Canyon and how a high school student adopts and trains horses, and how she rides them now to compete for prizes.

Horticulturalist Crystal Trentelman shared with students her knowledge and love of plants and answered their questions, such as why her strawberry plant has pink flowers instead of white.

“I’m a Utah State student, but I also work for Progressive Plants and in both cases, I really like to be involved in the plant community and share with anyone interested about plant education,” she said. “I talked a lot about plant breeding, working on differ-

ent genetics to make those things happen. The kids were really asking some intelligent questions. I just am so jealous of these guys getting to learn about these options while they’re young.”

Elk Ridge seventh-grader Amalia Vallejo appreciated learning from Trentelman that working with plants is a peaceful career and one which also can focus on need and beauty with plants’ different colors. She also liked learning about the different programs available at Utah State University.

West Jordan Middle School student Naomi Fisutalia Hamilton said through her rotations, she learned that most breads are made from part whole wheat flour and part white and can share that with her family.

West Jordan science teacher Allyson Jellito said she can tie what they learned into her class discussion.

“I really like the pods with ducks, chickens and horses and dogs since they’re learning about the diversity of life,” she said. “We can use those to determine what is living, what isn’t living, and particularly how to care for living things themselves. I’m going to bring this back to my class to implement.”

Parent Dan Hastings was escorting a group of seventh-grade students.

“It’s cool that these students are exposed to as much as possible here,” he said, remembering he helped farm and ride horses where the district offices now stand. “There are so many more choices in agriculture today.”

Top: Horticulturalist Crystal Trentelman shared with students about plant breeding at Jordan School District’s annual agriculture day. Right: At Jordan School District’s sixth annual agriculture day, more than 4,800 seventh-grade students were engaged in learning about everything from animals to farming equipment. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

County library celebrates all-star readers in time for NBA All-Star game

With Salt Lake City and the newly renamed Delta Center set to host the NBA All-Star game in February, the Salt Lake County Library system, including the Riverton Library, decided to celebrate a different kind of all-star.

All-Star Winter Reading, an all-ages, basketball-themed event presented in partnership with the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office, will offer opportunities to read, create, learn, play and connect in Salt Lake County and beyond, while scoring big with books, Utah Jazz tickets and other prizes in the process.

“It’s kind of like we took the referee out of the game,” County Library Program Manager Nyssa Fleig said in a press release. “There are so many ways people can take part in Winter Reading, whether by reading; playing sports like basketball; jumping in on a board game; volunteering; visiting rec centers, museums, and parks; making new friends; or starting a new club. It’s really up to the participant.”

The program began Jan. 3 and runs through Feb. 18. Participants, all ages and abilities are welcome, may register any

time during the program’s run.

Winter readers may participate through the County Library’s Beanstack app, a safe, secure, interactive activity tracking program or with paper reading records, available at any branch. Either method aims to keep All-Star Winter Reading stats a fun, engaging and rewarding experience.

Finishers will be entered into a drawing to win books and Utah Jazz tickets, with each of the County Library’s 18 branches giving away a pair of tickets. Finishers will also have the opportunity to meet NBA mascots and the County Library’s Owlexander the Owl at an exclusive event at the Library’s Viridian Event Center Feb. 15 in West Jordan.

More information on the County Library’s All-Star Winter Reading program can be found at thecountylibrary.org/WinterReading.

In addition to All-Star Winter Reading, Salt Lake County is boosting the NBA AllStar Experience with ticket giveaways and fan events. Learn more at slco.org/mayor/ slco-all-star-experience. l

Salt Lake County Library system runs a winter reading program until Feb. 18. (Wikimedia)

Salt Lake County Council approves funding for a temporary mental health receiving center

Witha $2.5 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act, the Salt Lake County Council approved funding for a temporary mental health receiving center at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute (501 Chipeta Way).

As an alternative to jail or the emergency room, the temporary center will accept residents going through a mental health crisis, brought in by law enforcement. The center will focus on getting people the professional help they need.

“The current option is to take those who are experiencing a crisis to jail or an emergency room, which is costly, can take more of an officer’s time, and may not give those in crisis the long-term help they need,” said Ross Van Vranken, executive director of the HMHI. “We applaud the council and mayor’s foresight and commitment to mental health resources.”

Funds from the council will cover the cost of retrofitting and expanding an existing space at the HMHI. It will also cover 17 months of staffing to allow operations beginning in April 2023 until the construction of the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center is finished in fall 2024.

The new center is being built in South Salt Lake and will be a place where people

can go to stabilize and connect with vital mental health resources. The temporary location at HMHI will address those needs until the center opens. It will help alleviate the Salt Lake County Jail which houses a large population of people needing mental health services.

“The county is designated as the mental health authority by the state, and we operate the jail, so this is a good fit,” said Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton. “This investment will not only improve mental health outcomes but will save taxpayer dollars in the long run.” As was proposed in Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson’s budget, the council will also approve an additional $1 million toward the construction of the Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center.

“The $1 million donation was included in my proposed budget to go towards the construction of the permanent space,” Wilson said. “We are committed to getting this finished and appreciate all those who have partnered on this project.”

The $3.5 million commitment from the county is part of a public-private collaboration with the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, which has committed $3.5 million to the construction of Larry H. and Gail

Miller Family Integrated Healing and Innovation Center, helping those in crisis. The integrated center will provide legal support services, case management, medical and dental support, and mental wellness counseling.

“In the time I’ve been on the council, I’ve never seen eight council members

The Bees are moving south

By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

OnTuesday, Jan. 17, the Salt Lake Bees announced their intention to move from their current home in Salt Lake City to a new stadium to-be-built in Daybreak by 2025.

“The Larry H. Miller Company will build a baseball stadium in Daybreak, a master-planned community in South Jordan, Utah, for its Triple-A baseball team, the Salt Lake Bees. The privately financed stadium will serve as a year-round entertainment anchor for the fast-growing southwest quadrant of Salt Lake County. Construction will begin this year, and the stadium will open for the 2025 baseball season,” the Bees announced in a press release.

While the exact location of the future stadium is not yet known, it’s expected to fall somewhere between the Trax line and Mountain View Corridor and between Lake Avenue and South Jordan Parkway.

The move comes about a year after the Larry H. Miller company purchased 1,300 acres of undeveloped land in the Daybreak area.

“The Larry H. Miller Company has been a collaborative partner, considering all aspects of the impact this business decision will have on the community. The South Jordan City Council and I have appreciated working with them and look forward to continuing our

co-sponsor an agenda item,” said Salt Lake County Council Chair Laurie Stringham. “This shows the commitment of the Council to support mental health resources for our residents.”l

partnership on additional plans for this area,” South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey said. Mayors of neighboring cities all chimed in on the news.

“While the stadium won’t be located in Herriman, it will still become an economic driver for our entire region! Exciting to see these types of amenities headed to our area,” Herriman Mayor Lorin Palmer said.

“Just heard the news that the Bees are moving to South Jordan. Very close to our community off of Mountain View Corridor. I know I’ll be attending more games with this move,” Mayor Trent Staggs said.

As for resident reactions, many expressed concerns about how the new stadium might impact parking and traffic, among other things.

“As a homeowner who lives close to where this new stadium will be located, I have serious concerns about providing an adequate amount of parking so that the surrounding neighborhood streets will not be negatively impacted with overflow,” said one commenter on the Daybreak Facebook post announcing the move. l

A temporary mental health receiving center, at the existing Huntsman Mental Health Institute, will allow law enforcement officers to bring people experiencing a mental health crisis to a safe place to receive professional help. (Photo courtesy of Huntsman Mental Health Institute)

The Salt Lake Bees will play for two more seasons at Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City before moving to a new stadium in Daybreak.

Live in Real Life event brings hope to teenagers, parents with concert, motivational speaker Justin Osmond

Riverton City hosted a Live in Real Life event on Monday, Jan. 23, at Riverton High School. The Live in Real Life program was started in 2018 to combat the rise in anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses among teenagers.

“The program took place following a School Safety Roundtable that Mayor Trent Staggs convened with school officials, public safety officials and city staff,” said Riverton City Communications Director Casey Saxton. “A large part of the discussion in that meeting surrounded the need to combat the growing trend of anxiety, depression and mental health challenges that youth experience today. We’ve added a music component to several of the events as a way to attract and engage the audience.”

The program has featured guests like Collin Kartchner, Katey McPherson, Nathan Osmond, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes and Columbine survivor Craig Scott in years past. This year’s guest was Justin Osmond.

“Justin Osmond, the second son of Merrill and Mary Osmond, was born with a 90% hearing loss that went undiagnosed

By Morgan Olsen | m.olsen@mycityjournals.com

until he was 2 years old,” Osmond’s biography states. “Justin currently runs the Olive Osmond Hearing Fund, a charity that helps deaf and hard-of-hearing children around the world with the gift of hearing. He also operates a production company called O2 Events & Productions. His focus is to help motivate and be a bridge builder, which encompasses the needs for the deaf, hard-of-hearing and their families all around the world.”

The Live in Real Life program aims to reach teenagers and their parents through a message of hope and resilience as they go through the inevitable challenges of life.

“Our goal is to provide a regular event where both middle and high school age students and their parents can learn from the experiences of others who have successfully dealt with anxiety, depression and mental health challenges and what they can do to find that same success,” Saxton said. “We’ve strived to de-stigmatize talking about these issues and bring awareness to resources that are out there to help people navigate these complex issues when they face them.”

Riverton City, along with Riverton

High School and Jordan School District, puts on this event twice per year and the information shared with the community has been consistently pertinent to issues affecting middle and high schoolers in the area.

“It has had a positive impact on the community,” Saxton said. “We often receive really good feedback about the Live in Real Life program from those who attend and from schoolteachers and administrators.” l

Motivational speaker, Justin Osmond, spoke at January’s Live in Real Life event (Justin Osmond/JustinOsmond.com)

Mountain Ridge boys basketball hitting season’s final stretch

Photos By Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

The The Mountain Ridge High School boys basketball team went 5-8 in a brutal preseason schedule featuring games against Brighton, Salem Hills, Pleasant Grove, Cypurs, Skyline and Olympus. The Sentinels split its first two games of region beating West Jordan behind senior forward Jackson Moller’s 22 points and eight rebounds before losing to Bingham. l

Junior guard Jackson Briggs takes a three-point shot.

Senior guard Kyle Carley dribbles the ball up the floor against Highland. He finished the game with a team-high 15 points and 7 assists.

Sophomore forward Tate Munson tries a shot from distance.

Junior forward Spencer Krainich goes up for a layup during the Sentinels’ win over Highland.

Senior forward Jackson Moller is the Sentinels’ primary big man this season. He scored 14 points in their season opener.

Council rundown: New councilmember, fiber optics, police chief

Here’s a rundown of several happenings involving Riverton government.

New councilmember

In the first City Council meeting of 2023, the council interviewed 12 applicants for the recently-vacated District 1 seat after Sheldon Stewart was elected to the Salt Lake County Council.

After one round of interviews—where the council’s questions focused on land use, how they would use discretionary funds, their goals and what separated them from the crowded field—the council’s vote narrowed to two: Andy Pierucci and Elliot Person.

One more round of questioning led to another vote, the four councilmembers were split two each, before Mayor Trent Staggs’ tiebreaking vote went to Pierucci, who was then administered the oath of office.

Police chief

Originally reported by KSL on Friday Jan. 20, Riverton police chief Don Hutson no longer works for Riverton City.

Hutson was the precinct chief in Holladay for Unified Police before coming to Riverton when the city formed its own police department in 2019.

On Jan. 17, Hutson presented his

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

monthly report on the police department during that evening’s city council meeting. There was nothing out of the ordinary concerning the numbers nor any apparent tension between the council and the chief.

At the end of that meeting, the council convened in a closed session (not available to the public) for just over an hour.

Mayor Pro Tem

Councilmember Troy McDougal was selected mayor pro tem by unanimous vote. In the case of the mayor’s absence, McDougal will chair the council meetings.

Fiber optic infrastructure

Staggs reported at the Jan. 17 meeting that Google Fiber has designed the entirety of the system and its buildout in Riverton such as where trenching will take place to put in the fiber and all connection points. The city was divided into 25 sections and three of which have been installed.

“We think by the end of this year, the vast majority of Riverton residents will have access to google fiber,” he said during the meeting.

Separately, City officials also have plans to apply $1.2 million of federal COVID relief funds to install the entirety of a broadband ring to five city facilities.

UTA Survey

City officials are urging residents to fill out a UTA survey for transit needs and priorities. UTA is working on a five-year service plan and invited community feedback through a survey.

Riverton officials have repeatedly emphasized in recent months that UTA lacks a presence in the southwest part of the valley, particularly Riverton where they highlight the city has zero bus stops from UTA and zero rail stations. Herriman and Bluffdale don’t have bus stops either.

The only service offered by UTA in the community is Via, a microtransit offering that doesn’t get much ridership. Officials said UTA collects over $6 million from Riverton in sales tax revenue each year despite the disparity in service between communities. Last year Staggs highlighted how the southwest has a comparable population to Salt Lake City but only has 2% of bus stops compared to Salt Lake City’s 32%. l

Three of the 25 divided sections in the city now have Google Fiber installed the mayor reported in January. (Pixabay)

the CJC because of the impact they have on the local community.

“There is quite the process when we select a charity,” said student government adviser Katie Borgmeier. “I start by having each member of student government research different charities. We like to keep the charities local so that we can see the impact. On our website, there is an application that charities fill out all year long. From the applications and the charities that the students find, we narrow down the list to 10. The SBOs invite these 10 charities in for an interview to learn more about the charity and how we can help. From the 10, the SBOs will choose three that will be presented to the class officers as well as administrators. Feedback is provided, more discussion ensues and then a charity is chosen.”

Many local businesses and organizations apply to be considered as the Silver Rush recipient each year, and the Student Body Officers take the time needed to choose the group they feel is the best candidate.

“This is not something that we come to lightly,” Borgmeier said. “We look at what will make the greatest impact in our community.”

Borgmeier says that an important aspect of Silver Rush is teaching the students the importance of the issues the selected charity stands for.

“A big part of Silver Rush is the educational aspect,” Borgmeier said. “We ask our-

selves things like ‘What can we teach our student body? Our community?’ So this year with the Children’s Justice Center, we were able to talk about awareness, prevention and what to do in the situation of child abuse.”

Silver Rush began when the school first opened in 1999 and has continued to be a tradition the community looks forward to each year. For Borgmeier and the student council, in particular, it is a significant time commitment that comes with an even bigger reward.

“The hardest part of Silver Rush for me is that I still have to teach full-time, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Borgmeier said. “Most days, I work from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. during the month of December. I know for my officers, the hardest part is staying caught up in their classes. They spend four hours a day, six days a week serving our community.”

The culmination of the event is the closing assembly, where the student council invites the charity recipient to attend and announce the results of the fundraiser to the student body.

“This assembly is at the end of the day, the day before Christmas break and the gym is packed,” Borgmeier said. “When it comes time to raise the banner, I love to watch the faces of the charity. Seeing their reactions and the change that will happen is one of the coolest things.”

Students love to get involved with Silver Rush and Borgmeier says it’s not hard to mo-

tivate them to keep their enthusiasm up all month long.

“Quite honestly, I don’t have a hard time motivating students to participate. At least once a day during the month of December, I am approached by a student with a new idea that they want to do for Silver Rush. Everyone is just so excited and wants to help out in any way that they can. Silver Rush is a magical time of year and a time that really unites the student body.”

Ultimately, the goal of Silver Rush is to bring students together and help a local charity during the holiday season.

“My favorite part about being involved with Silver Rush is the opportunity to see my community come together to support the people around us who need the help that the Children’s Justice Center is able to provide,” Riverton High School Student Body President Skyler Anderson said. “I hope that the student body grows as people because of participating in Silver Rush and having the opportunity to be charitable at such a young age. If the students learn to work for the good of their community, Silver Rush will have accomplished one of its biggest objectives.” l

MONICA HINZ, DO, JD Pediatrics

Monica Hinz joins Granger Medical Clinic as a recent graduate of University of Florida, Jacksonville’s pediatric residency. Following residency she served as a chief resident for one year. As a native Floridian, she and her family have loved moving to Utah this past summer and are enjoying all the natural beauty and outdoor activities that Salt Lake City area has to offer. Dr. Hinz is of Columbian descent and is fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Hinz is passionate about not only helping her patients grow, but also ensuring the entire family unit is thriving.

• History and physical

• Newborn examinations

• Childhood immunizations

• Well child physicals

• Sports participation physicals

• ADHD evaluation and management

• Anxiety and depression evaluation and management

• Adolescent medicine exams

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS

Lone Peak | Jordan Valley Medical Center | Riverton

ACCEPTED INSURANCES

• Aetna/Altius/First Health

• BCBS

• Cigna/Greatwest

• DMBA

• Educators

• Health Choice Utah

• Health Utah

• Humana

• Medicare

• Medicaid

• Molina

• Multiplan

• PEHP

• Select Health

• Tricare West/ HealthNet

• United

• UUHP

• WISE

Riverton High School students drop the banner to reveal the amount of money raised during their Silver Rush charity drive at the event’s closing assembly. (Katie Borgmeier/Riverton High School)

Riverton Elementary teaches online safety through White Ribbon Week

By Morgan Olsen | m.olsen@mycityjournals.com

Riverton Elementary promoted the importance of digital safety for its students through White Ribbon Week Jan. 9-13.

“White Ribbon Week makes it easy for [schools] to empower children with simple, kid-friendly messages and activities,” the White Ribbon Week organization website states. “Combining information from the latest research and utilizing the power of positivity, our materials prepare even the youngest kids to recognize online dangers and navigate technology safely.”

White Ribbon Week utilizes different activities throughout the week to teach students the importance of making smart decisions online.

“White Ribbon Week consists of five fun-filled days at school to help students think carefully about their online choices,” the White Ribbon Week organization website states. “White Ribbon Week addresses many issues including online safety, cyberbullying, indecent media, screen time and emotional wellness.”

Riverton Elementary’s White Ribbon Week was organized by Catrina Kim, a parent volunteer who is also involved with the SASS Go organization.

“As a concerned parent passionate about ending abuse, assault and human trafficking,

I was eager to help coordinate White Ribbon Week for Riverton Elementary,” Kim said.

“In what I do, I have experienced firsthand the effects of those atrocities on not just the victim, but the entire family unit. That is what drives me personally to get involvedin any way that I can - to empower children and their trusted adults with the practical and effective tools to keep themselves safe.”

One aspect of White Ribbon Week focuses specifically on teaching students the

importance of digital citizenship. Kim said she wanted to emphasize to students that once they post something online, it is there forever. She reminded students that they have a responsibility to post things that they are proud of, and things that build others up, not tear others down. She wants them to know that the things they post matter to others.

“As part of the digital citizenship aspect of White Ribbon Week, we created an Empowerment Wall,” Kim said. “All 700

students were asked to write an uplifting word on a post-it note to remind them to be positive with their posts and text messages, because they can have a powerful impact on others.”

Kim feels it is important to give students the tools they need to be successful and aware individuals as they grow up in an increasingly digital world.

“With the growing threats to their physical, mental and emotional well-being, it’s important to raise awareness and have conversations early, in age-appropriate language,” Kim said. “The message must be compelling and fun, confirming each child’s self-worth, without causing fear. After all, the best way to end the horrific effects of abuse, assault and human trafficking is to prevent it from happening in the first place.”

While online safety can be an overwhelming topic to tackle in just one week, Kim has focused on keeping the lessons simple, entertaining and informative.

“My goal with White Ribbon Week has been to present the critical information so that it’s fun for the students, easy for teachers, informative and compelling for parents,” Kim said. “Ultimately, the goal is to make a positive difference in our community.” l

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White Ribbon Week took place at Riverton Elementary from Jan. 9-13. (Catrina Kim/Riverton Elementary)

RIVERTON REVIEW

Official Newsletter of the Riverton, Utah City Government

City Council Change in District 1

By Mayor Trent Staggs

On November 8, Councilman Sheldon Stewart was elected to serve as a member of the Salt Lake County Council representing District 5, which includes all of Riverton and Bluffdale, and large portions of Draper, Herriman, South Jordan and West Jordan. He was sworn into his new county council position on January 3. Accordingly, he needed to resign from his city council seat, which he held for nearly three terms, and did so on December 14.

Sheldon represented District 1 on the council for 11 years. He has had a tremendous impact on our city. He was a tireless advocate for his district, which encompasses the far west side of Riverton. He was a champion for economic growth, improved infrastructure, greater broadband access and efficient, transparent government. Many fantastic projects we’ve seen come to fruition recently in our city were made possible with Sheldon’s support, including Mountain View Village, Costco and Google Fiber. I’ve really enjoyed working with Sheldon and wish him the very best of luck in his new role, where I know he will continue to be a strong advocate for southwest Salt Lake County.

In compliance with state code, we opened applications for individuals interested in serving on the Riverton City Council in District 1 in December. We had a great response and ended up interviewing 12 excellent candidates who wanted to serve on the council. Andy Pierucci was selected by the council during our January 3 meeting to fill the remainder of Sheldon’s term, which runs through the end of 2023.

Andy is a fantastic addition to the council, and I wanted to introduce him here to the community. He has a wealth of experience and knowledge that will no doubt help keep Riverton a great place to live, work and raise a family. He and his family have lived in Riverton for nearly eight years. He has previously served as a member and chair of the Riverton City Historic Preservation Commission and member of the Riverton City Economic Development Committee.

In his professional life, Andy works in the aerospace and defense industry full-time and works parttime as an adjunct professor at the Utah Valley University Center for National Security Studies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Utah State University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Utah. He serves on the Utah Advisory Committee for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and as a founding board member for the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association.

Andy has stated that his priorities for office include consistent engagement with the community, transparent government, fiscal responsibility and being responsive to the community’s needs.

I hope you will join me in wishing Councilman Pierucci the very best of luck as he begins his service on the Riverton City Council.

Winter Parking Policy & Snow Removal Protocol

The following snow removal protocol and winter parking policy is in effect in Riverton:

• Between November 1 and March 1, no vehicle may be parked on city streets during a snow storm OR where snow has accumulated on road shoulders.

• Major roadways, high-traffic areas and school zones are prioritized in snow removal efforts as a matter of public safety.

• Minor roads and cul-de-sacs are cleared if 4 inches of snow or more has accumulated once main roadways are clear.

• Snow removal problem reports or complaints may be directed to the Riverton City Public Works Department at 801-208-3162

For enforcement requests of the winter parking ordinance, please call RPD Non-Emergency Dispatch at 801-840-4000.

For additional details, visit rivertonutah.gov/snow

Mayor Trent Staggs (left) and former Riverton City Councilman Sheldon Stewart (right) congratulate Andy Pierucci (center) on his appointment to the Riverton City Council.

ELECTED

District 4

Claude Wells - District 5

CITY MANAGER

David R. Brickey

UPCOMING CITY MEETINGS

CITY COUNCIL

February 7 and 21, 7 p.m.

PLANNING COMMISSION

February 9 and 23, 6:30 p.m.

CONTACT US

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801-254-0704

Report a problem at rivertonutah.gov/report

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Riverton’s Improving Financial Condition COUNCIL

By Councilmember Tawnee McCay

As a city, it is important to celebrate when goals are reached. I’m excited to announce that our city just paid off two major bonds at the end of calendar year 2022 as shown in the chart. This leaves our city with four outstanding bonds.

As a member of the Riverton City Audit Committee, and with a background in finance, I find it fascinating to look at Riverton’s Annual Financial Report (rivertonutah.gov/finance/reports. php) and see what trends are taking place. For example, as of June 30, 2022, our debt per resident is at $803. It has not been this low since 2002. We are on target next year to be in the high $700s. This is great news!

At our last strategic planning meeting, I advocated for and we approved a new strategic priority to, “Budget 50% of all unprojected net revenue in the General Fund toward lowering callable debt.” This authorizes our treasurer to take half of sales tax revenue above our expected amount and apply it toward city bonds, reducing our debt load and saving money in interest (pg. 13). Last year, our city brought in $1.9 million over what was projected in sales tax revenue

This chart shows the original amount of debt Riverton City currently has, compared to the amounts of the original bonds. Note that two bonds were fully paid off in 2022.

for the first three months of the current fiscal year, averaging 16% over the previous year. This will allow us to pay off the $853,000 bond that was used for the Riverton City Hall renovation (see chart).

Riverton City increased the emergency contingency fund to 35% of the city’s budget. This allows us to plan for unexpected expenses and save for larger infrastructure projects. It is also interesting to note our online sales tax revenue is now 26% of our total (pg. 116).

What allowed Riverton to pay off debt and improve our services?

Residents shopping locally makes

all the difference! Please make a conscious effort to do your shopping in Riverton. Head to Mountain View Village and our local grocery stores for your family’s needs. Even if the new Costco is a little farther away, please make the drive. It helps Riverton keep our fees low and improve road maintenance. It also helps fund our awesome community events and improve parks and add amenities like pickleball courts.

We thank Kevin Hicks, Jiny Proctor, Meghin Costa and our administrative team that prepare our financial statements and do a great job for our city!

Interested in Adopting a Pet?

Animals that are impounded by Riverton City Animal Control officers are held at Stone Ridge Veterinary Clinic for five days so owners have time to find their pets. At the end of the five days, animals in good health will be put up for adoption. Because it can feel risky to adopt a pet without ever meeting them in person, we invite you to schedule a meet and greet! Animal visitations are held by appointment Tuesday-Thursday between 1 and 3 p.m. You can schedule an appointment to meet your furry friend by dialing 801-208-3168. Learn more at rivertonutah.gov/adopt-a-pet.

New Beginnings

By Chief Don Hutson

I am filled with optimism as we begin 2023 and look forward to the upcoming year. The Riverton Police Department was established in July, 2019, and we are fast approaching our fourth anniversary. We have spent these first few years establishing a culture of caring and making every effort to establish ourselves as integral members of our community. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel established the London Metropolitan Police Force. He became known as the “Father of Modern Policing,” and his commissioners established a list of policing principles that, amazingly, are as relevant today as ever in our history. Principle 7 of Peel’s list states the following: “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police.” This principle captures what I believe is

the concept of community-oriented policing.

We can only be effective as a police department when we are recognized as being one with the community and when we display our common values. Every day, the officers of the Riverton Police Department endeavor to continue to develop our relationships with the citizens we serve by providing professional police services with an eye toward compassionate customer service. We embrace the opportunity to serve, and we appreciate how receptive our community is to our efforts and the trust we have developed with our citizenry. Riverton is a great community because of its great people, and I am thankful every day for the support we receive, which motivates us to try to get better each day.

“Riverton is a great community because of its great people, and I am thankful every day for the support we receive, which motivates us to try to get better each day.”

That said, our strength as a community and the quality of life we enjoy can only be preserved if we all remain focused on caring for each other and doing our part to be responsible members of society. We, as members of the Riverton Police Department, are committed to continuing to seek out opportunities to enhance our

Sir Robert Peel, known as the “Father of Modern Policing” established the London Metropolitan Police Force. He stated, “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police.”

relationships with all those we interact with to ensure we maintain our sense of community.

It is my hope, as we embark in this new year, that we can all remain vigilant and make a concerted effort to do better, work harder and serve those around us whenever we have the opportunity. This focus on service and betterment will ensure the core principles and values of our community will be preserved and we look forward to joining you in these efforts to enhance our way of life.

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Be part of a Riverton tradition and come participate in one of the valley’s best races. Medals and prizes will be awarded for participants and winners.

General registration continues until February 28 for the Riverton Half Marathon & 4Life 5K on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Races begin at 9 a.m. at Riverton City Park. Register at: rivertonutah.gov/half

Not Your Parent’s Art Show

Come see original art pieces created by young local artists displayed at the Old Dome Meeting Hall. Find details at rivertonutah.gov/ exhibits.

• Visit February 14 to March 8, Monday - Friday, Noon - 5 p.m.

Attend a free suicide prevention training to learn how to respond to someone in crisis. Classes normally occur monthly. Register at rivertonutah.gov/qpr.

• Thursday, February 16, 7 p.m. Riverton City Hall

Pick up a free voucher to the Trans-Jordan Landfill at the Utility Billing Office at Riverton City Hall when you begin your spring cleaning.

• Limit of two vouchers per household per year.

Riverton City is seeking business sponsorships to help us put on great Riverton Town Days and Rodeo events this year!

Visit rivertonutah.gov/sponsors to see what opportunities are available or to submit a sponsor application.

Trans-Jordan Landfill Disposal Vouchers

QPR Suicide Prevention Training Become a Riverton Town Days Sponsor

School employees sent walking…for their health

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

Friday Feb. 10 will be Jordan School District’s 2nd Annual Health and Wellness Virtual Day.

“The intent is to give employees some time to prioritize their personal wellness,” District Health and Wellness Consultant McKinley Withers said. “This is one of many opportunities that the district is looking at to try and give employees a better sense of wellness, because when adults are taken care of, they’ll take better care of our kids.”

Instead of being required to be at the school on that day, district employees will be encouraged to engage in activities that benefit their physical and mental health. JSD will be providing group exercise classes and professional development workshops focused on mental health topics during the day. Employees who participate in activities will earn prizes.

There will also be options and resources for students and their families to focus on their health and wellness on Feb. 10, which is not an in-person learning day. More information about the Annual Employee Health and Wellness Day and other wellness resources can be found at wellness.jordandistrict.org.

Jordan School District prioritizes the wellness of employees. There is a Health and Wellness Department at the district level and wellness committees at each school. The committee at West Jordan Middle School has created a challenge to motivate their staff to improve their health.

WJMS health teacher Kathy Howa came up with the Iron Lion Challenge and invited every teacher, aide, custodian, lunch worker, office staff, counselor and administrator to participate, no matter their fitness level.

For every 30 minutes of movement or 3,000 steps, participants mark off a box on the challenge tracker.

“The Iron Lion Challenge has shown me that I can get healthy by being aware of my steps,” language arts teacher Catherine Crosby said. “I’ve also started doing yoga and dancing again. Checking off my exercise on our tracker has been motivating to me because I have to answer to it.”

Crosby said the benefits have been both physical and mental.

“I feel healthier and have more energy,” she said. “Moving more is good for my mental health as well because it helps me feel like I’m accomplishing something.”

Howa said the buy-in has been great. In the first semester of the year, school employees logged more than 1,988 hours of exercise.

“They are realizing this is kind of fun,” Howa said. “They find all different ways to exercise and they’re finding out that they already do stuff and then they’re able to mark it down and then they want to do more.”

The challenge has inspired groups of employees to take a walk together during their breaks and after school. Some have gone

hiking and snowshoeing together. Howa has received positive feedback from colleagues who said they wouldn’t be moving this much if it weren’t for the challenge.

The goal of the challenge is to increase employees’ physical and mental wellbeing. Howa said even those who are walking a little bit more than they used to are getting benefits. A bonus benefit is that it is increasing unity.

“It’s really building community throughout the school because it’s a little friendly competition, and people share videos or pictures of how they’ve been active or moving,” science teacher Ally Jelitto said.

Jelitto shares her love of movement by teaching daily morning meditations with movement and weekly yoga sessions for school employees.

“The biggest takeaway, at least for me, is it’s been good to connect with teachers or staff that I hadn’t in the past,” Jelitto said.

Kaylynn Schiffman agrees. She’s been a hall monitor at WJMS for six years, but because she doesn’t participate in teacher meetings, she doesn’t know many of the teachers well.

“I feel like with us all doing this, it has brought me closer with the staff,” she said.

Schiffman was one of the semester winners of the challenge because she averages 10,000-12,000 steps a day just as part of her job. The Iron Lion challenge inspired her to be more active on the weekends and to track her food habits, which has helped her lose 21 pounds.

“I just decided, if I’m doing all those steps and making an effort to count my steps, I might as well make an effort to count my intake,” she said.

Reading teacher Michelle Bagley has also been inspired— she said this is the first fitness program she’s taken seriously.

“The Iron Lion Challenge has helped me be more intentional about fitness and helped actually do it,” Bagley said. “I always have

good intentions about getting healthier, but they always fall through. Apparently I need a village to make it happen, and I love knowing my fellow teachers are in this with me.”

Bagley has adopted new healthier habits.

“I started walking more so I could put marks on my spreadsheet, so now I don’t circle a parking lot 12 times to find the best spot, I walk,” she said.

She has also experimented with new ways to get moving. She uses an under-thedesk cycle machine while grading papers.

She is trying a new online exercise program and got a dance program for her Nintendo Switch so she can exercise while playing with her grandchildren.

“The Iron Lion Challenge at our school has made a huge difference in my attitude and how I feel,” Bagley said. “I only set out to prove to the school I wasn’t a couch potato and a team player, but I feel better, and even though weight loss wasn’t my goal, I’ve dropped seven pounds just by adding a little bit more exercise to my everyday routine.”

Challenge participants earn prizes such as water tumblers, trail mix bars, school swag and Lion King merchandise. There are two floating trophies which weekly winners for Most Improved and Most Hours get to display in their classrooms for that week.

Because of her competitive nature, special education teacher Kasi Monsen is very motivated to participate in the challenge.

“Winning is something I like doing, so I think, ‘I can do the most steps, I can go to volleyball instead of sitting on the couch and watching a movie today,’” Monsen said. “Obviously my health has to be important to me, but yeah, it’s a little bit more motivating to win.”

Her choices have paid off. Monsen was another of the semester winners.l

Left: Teachers can borrow a desk cycle to exercise while working at their desk. Top: Megan Singleton rock climbs. (Photos courtesy of Kathy Howa)

Jordan District asks legislators to prioritize support of high quality educators

By Jet Burnham | j.burnham@mycityjournals.com

TheJordan School District Board of Education hosted a breakfast for state legislators Jan. 11 to share their educational priorities and to answer questions from representatives preparing for this year’s legislative session.

The Board asked for support from lawmakers as they focus on providing safe working and learning environments at schools and in recruiting and retaining high quality educators and educational support professionals.

“We understand that the fundamental thing that makes education great, that affects the lives of individuals, are great educators,” Board First Vice President Niki George said.

In his Supercast podcast, Jordan School District Superintendent Dr. Anthony Godfrey regularly highlights outstanding employees who have an impact on students. One of the teacher-student relationships he featured was Bingham High School sophomore Claire Burnham, who has become a national youth storyteller because of the support of her teachers at Jordan Ridge Elementary. Burnham and her sixth-grade teacher Frankie Walton shared their story with the legislators at the breakfast.

It reminded the legislators of the teachers that have had an impact on their lives.

“My ‘Mrs. Walton’ was Mr. Young,” Rep. Mark Strong (house 47) said. “I had him three classes a day for my entire senior year of high school. I still talk to him every few months I

call him.”

An intern for one of the state representatives shared that the only reason she had good attendance during her senior year was because she had a connection with her choir teacher.

Rep. Jordan Teuscher (house 44), who attended Jordan District schools, said, “Each of my elementary school teachers was really amazing,” but he remembers specifically his fifth-grade teacher. “I just remember being given more responsibilities and being looked at differently from a teacher than I had in the past.”

Teuscher still sees his AP political science teacher, Scott Crump, who taught the class at Bingham High for 25 years, and now works as a green coat at legislative sessions. Jenicee Jacobson, who is now an administrator at West Jordan High, was Teuscher’s debate teacher his senior year and helped him become who he is today. “She really took an interest in us and found ways for us to be able to accomplish the things we wanted to do,” he said.

Godfrey’s podcast also highlights the behind-the-scenes workers such as aides, nutrition workers, custodians, bus drivers and other support personnel who are critical to creating a successful educational environment for students. Currently there is a shortage in these positions—custodial crews are the most short-handed right now. The Board told legislators their current priority is to be able to

Jon graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies in 2012, then a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2015. Looking to expand his skill set, and broaden his ability to care for his patients, he went back to further his education once more and graduated with a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Utah in 2020. Prior to nursing school, Jon worked as a therapeutic preschool specialist at The Children’s Center in Salt Lake City which was ultimately the defining point that inspired him to seek a long-term career working with, and advocating for, children. He worked as a registered nurse at Primary Children’s Medical Center for over five years while working on his doctorate degree. Following graduation, he practiced family medicine for almost a year when he realized that pediatric and adolescent patients were the most fun and decided to switch to a pediatric care-focused clinic. Now he is excited to join Granger Pediatrics – Riverton and provide superior care for the children and adolescents of this rapidly growing community.

provide competitive pay to fill these positions.

“It’s easy to look at a school, and the teacher, but we have so many people that play a huge part in the education of our children, and we hope that we can recognize all of those needs,” George said. “Students are constantly receiving extra help through education support professionals, receiving experiences in the lunchroom and receiving relationships through school bus drivers.”

Board members also reported on how legislative funding has been spent. Their priorities have been employee pay, school safety and mental health resources.

They took time to answer questions legislators had about topics such as student attendance and discipline and the procedure for banning books.

Bingham High School ProStart students provided the food for the breakfast and the Madrigals Choir performed two songs.

JSD hosts a legislative breakfast every year before the legislative session. Last year’s legislative breakfast was particularly productive. It took place at Herriman High School, which on that day happened to be implementing the test-to-stay protocols the governor had put in place. When the lawmakers saw the procedure in action, they immediately texted the governor about the problems with the protocol.

“It was a very striking moment,” Associate Superintendent Mike Anderson said to lawmakers at this year’s breakfast. “It was thanks to your jumping in at that point that we were able to get some things changed rather quickly at the state level.”

Godfrey said the entire state benefited from the lawmakers’ efforts that day.

“That’s the best example of us working together in really difficult times,” he said. l

Some of the state legislators and board members in attendance at the Jordan School District Legislative Breakfast held Jan. 11. (Jet Burnham/City Journals)

What’s your legacy?

Serving Local Families Since 1885

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During one of life’s most difficult moments, you deserve the utmost respect, kindness, care, and guidance. Six generations of Larkins have been devoted to serving Utah families in their time of need, and that unique experience enables us to guide you in preparing services for your loved one with consideration and respect.

Silverwolves in the hunt under first-year coach

Photos by Travis Barton

Left: Jonathan Haag started off strong in his first season as head coach of the Riverton High girls basketball team, winning his first five games in charge as the team transitioned from its senior-heavy squad a year ago under Jodi Lee. Top: Hannah Shinall was averaging 10 points and four rebounds per game for the Silverwolves. Riverton has experienced the full spectrum of games this season, from blowout wins and close victories to tight losses and double-digit defeats. The competitive group is battling along in its tough region, beating West Jordan 68-62, but falling to region favorites Herriman 44-35 and Copper Hills 50-35.

Dr. Pulgiano joins Granger Internal Medicine – Riverton from the University of Utah. He graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine degree from Saba University School of Medicine in the Caribbean Netherlands in 2002. He then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center in 2005.

Dr. Pulgiano is passionate about being a strong patient advocate and gives his best efforts to educate, support, and encourage each patient throughout all aspects of their care. He is a strong believer in preventative medicine, utilizing annual routine exams and age-appropriate screenings, combined with a healthy lifestyle.

COMMON

• Diabetes control

• Dietary advice/exercise/ weight management

• Hypertension

•

• Joint injections – knees/ burse/tendons/plantar fasciitis

• Wound care

HOSPITAL AFFILIATIONS

• Aetna/Altius/First Health

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Riverton stays put, Corner Canyon joins as regions realign

By Greg James | g.james@mycityjournals.com

Regions will look a little different starting in August.

Every two years the UHSAA adjusts its school’s region placement. The changes are scheduled to take effect for the 2023-24 school year.

“I am excited about the proposed region alignment,” Hunter boys soccer coach Brett Solberg said. “It is our best fit. An ideal region should consist of schools that are similar.”

A public hearing was held on Dec. 14, 2022 to receive feedback from districts and schools. The new alignment was adopted on Dec. 15 and approved by the Board of Trustees. Schools wishing to move up or down in classification had the opportunity to petition the board in its Jan. 19 meeting.

“The board is going to reconsider the current realignment based on the petitions of a few schools,” Copper Hills Athletic Director Ben Morley said prior to the Jan. 19 petitions. “I am not convinced the proposed realignment will remain as such a few weeks from now. Many schools are upset at the uneven regions at the 6A level.”

Morley was proven correct. Originally, Copper Hills was placed in 6A Region 2 with Bingham, Lehi, Herriman, Mountain Ridge, Riverton and Westlake. But Lehi and Westlake were moved to 6A Region 3 after the Jan. 19

meeting, with Corner Canyon joining Riverton in the new Region 2. The change was to keep schools within their own counties with Bingham assistant principal Art Erickson telling the UHSAA board they were in favor of an option that kept the southwest valley schools together.

Riverton High principal Rochelle Waite told the committee that realignment affects nonathletic students too and keeping regions geographically closer allows students to travel to away games.

“They travel better when schools are in closer proximity,” she said highlighting the benefits for the entire student body.

West Jordan High School was moved to 5A Region 4 with Cyprus, Hunter, Granger, Taylorsville and Kearns.

The move to 5A may indicate a drop in enrollment and the competitiveness of the region.

The high school association administers and supervises all interschool activities. These activities are a significant educational force for students to develop skills to become contributing members of the community.

The board of trustees takes into account the opportunity to promote fair competition in its activities. Some of the things the board considers include enrollment, demographics, time out of school, rivalries and competitive success.

“It is more fun to play our rivals. We know

each other and may talk a little more trash in those games,” Cyprus guard Quentin Meza said.

One of the new factors the board of trustees has been considering is the elimination of regions. For some, the RPI system has diminished the importance of regions. If regions are eliminated the coaches could arrange their schedules in whatever manner they wished. Schools could play a demanding or easier schedule depending on what the administrative staff wished.

“We’re trying to have our cake and eat it too, we can’t sustain regions and RPI. We are working against ourselves,” Wasatch Superintendent Paul Sweat said during the realignment meeting.

Erickson said he favored regions with nearby communities matching up against each other. “Regions mean something,” he said, highlighting his days in Logan and how they cherished those region rivalries.

He has no problem with the RPI, but said region trophies are “still significant” since not every team will win a state title.

The committee broached the subject during its last realignment in 2020. Riverton boys basketball coach Skyler Wilson said at the time while he likes the RPI system and felt its been productive for basketball in the state, he

would not support getting rid of reasons.

“The biggest reason is it gives kids something to work for,” Wilson told the Journals in January 2021. He pointed to being co-region champs several years ago.

“That’s something our kids can forever remember, we weren’t state champs we weren’t able to get to that level, but it’s something in the history of our school. That was the first one we’d ever had and I know how much it meant to our kids,” he said. “That to me is always something to play for. I like having the regions, I hope we’re able to continue having them just because I think it gives the kids something to play for additionally besides a mathematical ranking.” l

Riverton stayed in its Jordan District-centric region for the new realignment. (Photo by Pat McDonald)

Utah PTA sponsored statewide film contest promotes digital wellness

Last year, an Eastmont Middle School sixth-grader claimed the top prize in the first Utah PTA digital wellness film contest, which was held only in the Canyons School District.

This year, the film contest is extended statewide to sixth- through 12th-grade students with the submission deadline March 15.

“The purpose of the video contest is to promote digital wellness and awareness and to promote healthy use of devices with students,” said Melinda Rosevear, Utah PTA Digital Wellness Committee member who is directing the video contest. “Our theme is ‘being safe, kind and responsible online.’ We wanted to make it broad so students can take any of those aspects they want to focus.”

Currently, information is being shared with career and technology education teachers in schools throughout the state.

“Every student in Utah is required to take the digital literacy class in eighth grade, unless parents choose to opt their student out, so that seems like a good place to get the word out to students,” she said. “I would love for the teachers who are already doing things in their eighth-grade digital literacy classes to participate in this.”

By Julie Slama | j.slama@mycityjournals.com

Last year, in its pilot year in Canyons School District, many Albion Middle students in classes taught by CTE teacher Bethany Hanson participated.

“I’d say about 60% of our entries were from Albion Middle School because the digital literacy teacher there jumped on it and it caught the kids’ interest,” she said.

Rosevear said that Eastmont winner, Jake Despain, “really knows his technology. He had all these cool special effects, he was very concise and very creative in his message.”

The contest allows students to have an engaging way to teach and to learn.

“It’s more impactful when kids are teaching kids and when they’re using their creativity to convey a message about digital safety and awareness. It’s such a powerful tool when they use their own videos to help teach concepts and while they’re making the videos that helps them think about these issues that help them process what is appropriate, say what’s responsible and express that in a way that’s creative and uses technology for good,” she said.

The film, which has a maximum time length of 90 seconds, can be worked on as a group, but only one student will be allowed to enter it. If that student wins local

or state prizes, which may be up to $500, it can be shared with other participants, she said, adding she appreciated the support of generous donors.

Rosevear said the idea emerged from when she held White Ribbon Week film contests as a PTA leader at Quail Hollow Elementary and Albion Middle School.

“I thought it would be fun to do a video contest because I think kids love to make movies and they love to use technology to express their ideas and their creativity. So, I thought how cool it would be for the kids to create videos and then to show those videos in the school,” she said.

Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as she planned.

“We had that video contest, and it was literally the week before COVID closed the schools. We still had winners, but we didn’t get to share the films in person. We may have put the videos on Canvas or something for other students to see,” she recalled.

When Rosevear proposed a film contest to the Utah PTA committee, “they loved the idea” so it was tested last year in Canyons District.

“Now we’re ready to roll it out to the whole state,” she said.

The Utah PTA Digital Wellness Com-

mittee, coordinated by Utah PTA Digital Wellness Specialist Linda Zenger, has about 15 digital citizenship and industry experts who will judge the entries. By the end of April, the committee will send certificates and winning prizes to students’ schools so they can be recognized at the school in front of their peers.

Students wishing to learn more about the video link may get additional information on the website, www.utahpta.org/video-contest.l

Eastmont Middle School Principal Stacy Kurtzhals (left) congratulated then sixth-grader Jake Despain on his win in the Utah PTA video contest (Photo courtesy of Ann Despain)

Milwaukee recruit Natalie Scott, shined at RSL Academy

With her recent success at RSL Academy, senior Natalie Scott has shown that she can excel at the prep level as well as college. However, she is quick to compliment the people who got her to this point.

“My mom has been with me through everything,” Scott said. “She has helped me through decisions in club and high school soccer. We flew out to Chicago every other weekend. That helped me get seen by Milwaukee.”

There are several achievements that Scott has accomplished in both club and high school soccer. Two in particular stuck out to her.

“It was great for our high school team to win state after waiting so long since we were not able to take the state championship this past year,” Scott said. “With the club team, the biggest achievement is being able to sign and play with Milwaukee. It’s worth everything I put into it.”

Not only is Scott a student of the game on the soccer field, she is a student in the classroom as well.

“I’m going to study criminal justice at Milwaukee,” Scott said. “I will see how it will play out. If I get the offer to play pro I will. It depends on what my life would look like. I would still like to be a part of the women’s league regardless.”

When asked about which player would most compare to her game, RSL Academy coach Sly Yeates had a tough time pinpointing a specific individual.

“It’s hard to say,” Yeates said. “She is a unique player that has a lot of different skill sets.”

When it came down to winning a state championship, it took those specific skill sets to help put RSL Academy over the top.

“Her quick thinking and her mind set her apart,” Yeates said. “She has a strong mind set. We have the speed up top. She was able to get behind defenses quite easily. Her best moment was the Judge Memorial game when we were behind a goal. She had a really long throw in. The keeper was out of position, and we capitalized on it.”

One thing that helped Scott get to the next level was when the game started to slow down.

“Early on what set her apart is she approached the season as a student of the game,” Yeates said. “I gave them a journal to keep a record of insights and she’s always taking notes. That gives her an edge. She’s soaked in information and applied it on the field throughout the season.”

Soccer didn’t come without significant adversity for Scott as she had to battle injury problems earlier in her career.

“I found out freshman year I had a broken back,” Scott said. “I had a bulged disc between my L4 and L5. I had to learn how to adjust and figure out my own body and what helps so I could continue my soccer career. I need to always take care of it since it won’t

By Daniel Olsen | d.olsen@mycityjournals.com

ever go away. It’s something I have to adjust to and play through.”

The coaching staff at RSL Academy has found the way to best utilize her on the soccer field.

“When we play her up top as a wing forward, she is able to cut behind defenses and use her speed,” Yeates said. “When she’s isolated 1-on-1, she can beat a defender.”

The journey to RSL Academy was a unique one for Scott, things seemed to align for her at just the right time.

“My mom coached for RSL Academy my eighth grade year in 2018-2019,” Scott said. “I left my middle school. I absolutely loved everyone at RSL Academy, and it was a great environment. I didn’t have to take PE. Seventh and eighth period was soccer. I had a good relationship with my coaches.”

Scott is ready to take her game to the next level, and even her coaches are noticing.

“It starts with passion,” Yeates said. “She is a passionate player and knows the work she will need to put in to play at the D1 level. She played with a team in Chicago last year. She is ready. She’s done the work beforehand, so she won’t be surprised in college.”

For anyone wishing to play at the collegiate level, Scott will be playing next year and she has some sound advice.

“Never give up,” Scott said. “It’s always very political. Everyone should love girls soccer. Even when coaches tell you that you can’t do something or don’t have the ability to do things in life, don’t give up.”

Even after her time is up at RSL Academy, Scott is always welcome to come back whenever she needs to.

“When you get into sports, relationships built on trust with people will continue,” Yeates said. “My door is always open for any of my former players. Players come back and

train in the summer. We have current players come to play and also former players who are now in college.”

Scott is a great player whose legacy will not be forgotten at RSL Academy.

“Not only was she a great player, she’s a great person,” Yeates said. “She’s a great leader and captain that some people look up to on the team. It caught me off guard how well rounded she is as a person.” l

Natalie Scott takes a shot with her Celtic club team. (Photo courtesy Natalie Scott)

Mountain Ridge narrowly edges out Herriman on the mat

Photos by Justin Adams | justin.a@thecityjournals.com

The Mountain Ridge and Herriman High wrestling teams met on Jan. 11 for a cross-town duel. The Sentinels got off to a large lead early after their first several wrestlers won their respective matchups. But the Mustangs fought back and narrowed the gap. They ultimately fell short though, losing to Mountain Ridge by a final score of 42-38.

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‘Different’ Riverton wins back-and-forth nail biter over Copper Hills in overtime

“ That was a fun one, that’s what high school basketball is supposed to be about, that was fun.”

That was Riverton High boys basketball coach Skyler Wilson’s unsolicited description of the nail-biting, momentum swinging game shortly after the Silverwolves capped a gritty 71-68 victory over Copper Hills Friday night.

In a tight game throughout that saw multiple lead changes in the fourth quarter and overtime, it was the Silverwolves that pulled out the win in an intense, physical contest between Region 3 opponents.

“It was just a battle back and forth,” Wilson said. “Two teams that I think have a lot of skill, but the best thing that both of us do are defense and hustle plays so it was going to be that kind of game and that’s what it turned into.”

Copper Hills led by six at one point in the second half but it was as big a lead as each team would have. The two teams combined for 42 free throw attempts in a physical encounter that saw every inside attempt challenged at the rim. In the final seconds of regulation, the Grizzlies held a two-point cushion when Riverton’s last second shot was rebounded by senior Logan Dunfield and fouled on the putback.

By Travis Barton | travis.b@thecityjournals.com

Dunfield, an SUU football signee, sank both free throws to send the game to overtime despite an inadvertent horn and a Copper Hills timeout to try and ice him. Free throws are an area he struggled with early in the season, Wilson said, but Dunfield is the kind of player to put in the extra work at practice.

“Logan is a three-year starter for us, multisport athlete. Kids like that, it’s not even about the shooting or anything, it’s just kinda about the heart,” Wilson said. “So proud of him for that, stepping up and making two big, big free throws.”

After an up-tempo start to overtime saw both teams trade a few buckets, Riverton found themselves with the ball and 23 seconds left. Riverton were in a similar situation against Pleasant Grove two weeks ago and Wilson said they called a timeout to try and set up a play rather than let it unfold on the court. A choice coaches deal with all the time.

“You’re always trying to reflect as a coach what’s working, what’s the best thing,” he said. “And what it came down to for me: if you really trust your team, let them figure it out.”

Wilson chose not to call a timeout this time and after the “broken play” resulted in an unbalanced shot, Dunfield came to the rescue again, grabbing another offensive rebound for the putback.

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Fans rushed the court to celebrate before officials put .6 seconds back on the clock, delaying the celebrations a little longer.

“We could’ve drawn up the play and maybe it would’ve been perfect, but in that game it was going to be some ugly shot and then offensive rebound and a throw in to win it. It was just perfect for us,” Wilson said.

Dunfield finished with a team-high 18 points while the team’s leading scorer Jaxon Kerekes added 17 points.

At press time, the victory moved Riverton to 12-4 overall and 3-0 in region that also included a tight 74-72 win over Herriman.

“There’s a lot of teams that can beat each other (in our region),” Wilson said. “I feel like we gotta bring it every night. That’s good, that’s fun, that makes for nights like tonight. I think it’ll make us better as a team which is what you’re trying to do especially as you get closer to the end of the year.”

The victory also further cements a feeling by Wilson and the squad that there’s something unique about this group, describing them as a “coach’s dream.”

“These guys just feel like a different kind of team,” Wilson said. “They’re just a different group. They’re so to-

gether, they don’t worry about who scores the most points, they cheer for each other. They just try to stay within their roles to help our team and they want to win and they do whatever they need to and find a way. For me, that’s what you want as a coach.”

Combined with the comradery is what’s happening on the court. Wilson said it starts with their “bash brothers” Dunfield and Zach Edwards. Both are multisport athletes with Dunfield headed to play tight end at SUU and Edwards a star on the baseball diamond, committed to Oregon State.

“Everything we do starts with those guys, they really bring the intensity,” Wilson said. “It’s not always a thing of beauty with those two, but that’s what I love about them. We call them the bash brothers, because it’s kind of how it is, they mix it up inside.”

Kerekes, who ranked eighth in state history last year for his 91.8% free throw percentage (he’s only missed two so far this season), helps carry the scoring load. “He’s just a really skilled, talented kid offensively,” Wilson said.

Wilson also highlighted senior Stratton Johnson who often takes the defensive assignment of guarding the opponent’s best scorer, as well as Kobe Nielsen and Kaden Allred (who played key minutes off the bench against Copper Hills).

“It’s been super fun to coach them,” he said. l

Senior Logan Dunfield nailed two free throws at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime, where he would score the winning bucket at the rim after grabbing the offensive rebound. (Travis Barton/City Journals)

Salt Lake County invests $5 million in open space

Whenthe Salt Lake County Council certified its 2023 budget, it included an unprecedented $5 million investment in open space funding. The funds will be set aside to create additional trail systems, park space and improvements in the canyons.

It’s a larger amount than is historically allocated for open space because there were lots of one-time dollars available from the American Rescue Plan Act that must be used before 2024. While no specific open space projects are targeted with this funding, the council will have the funds they need to purchase properties, green-light proposals or approve expenses as projects come forward.

“As property continues to appreciate and our county eventually expands out with people coming and moving here and bringing development, we want to make sure we are ahead of the game in keeping open space for our residents,” said Salt Lake County Councilmember Aimee Newton. “We know it’s a priority for our residents to have plenty of open space to recreate outside and spend time with their families.”

An additional $85 million in ARPA funds will be used for deferred maintenance, the largest investment in deferred capital maintenance in the history of the county. Some of these projects have been put off for more than a decade

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

and the upgrades will improve the efficiency and sustainability of county facilities.

“This year was an interesting budget because while our ongoing funds were tight with inflation and salary increases, we had a ton of one-time dollars,” Newton said. “We had a bunch of ARPA funds we had to use, and we put a lot of funds toward deferred maintenance which we know will save taxpayer dollars down the road.”

By approving the budget, the council agreed to a tax increase for the Salt Lake County Library service area. The increase will be approximately $30 per household annually, for the average home valued at $560,000. The funding will help modernize the county’s library system and address inflationary pressures. County residents have not seen an increase to the County Library tax in 10 years.

Other initiatives in the budget include funding for active transportation projects including safer sidewalks and bike lanes, waterwise upgrades to the irrigation infrastructure in county parks and facilities, and a matched grant to Centro Cívico Mexicano to support planning for a new center that will replace the aging facility.

An additional $2 million investment in the Other Side Academy Tiny Home Village will help provide solutions for the unsheltered

in the county and a $2 million grant given to the Utah AIDS Foundation will support the capital costs of the foundation’s new community health center.

For more information about the Salt Lake County budget, visit SLCO.org.

“The 2023 comprehensive budget provides historic support to health, quality of life

initiatives, homeless system assistance and environmental sustainability investments,” said Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson. “Additionally, all of the county’s priority deferred maintenance was funded including much needed improvements at parks, recreation centers and buildings throughout the county system.” l

Salt Lake County grant supports the Utah AIDS Foundation’s community health center

The Utah AIDS Foundation has been a compassionate voice for people struggling with HIV/AIDS for nearly 40 years. In 1985, when the Utah Department of Health reported 17 people in the state living with the disease, UAF was established to address the need for public information while offering assistance to those dealing with HIV/AIDS.

What began as a crisis hotline with a handful of volunteers grew into an organization dedicated to championing mental and physical health issues for those living with HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Now, a $2 million grant from Salt Lake County will help UAF create the first LGBTQ+ community health care center in Utah.

“It’s a game-changing grant,” said Ahmer Afroz, executive director of the Utah AIDS Foundation. “Finding funds for capital projects is quite difficult, so the support of the council and the mayor was game-changing. Our goal at UAF is to make impacts on health equity and reduce health disparity. If we can make quality, culturally competent health care accessible to everyone, we can make strides to achieve health equity in a real tangible way.”

Located at 150 S. 1000 East, UAF provides HIV case management, linkage to care and HIV and STI testing. Last year, the nonprofit added a mental health component by hiring a full-time therapist and demand soon exceeded availability. As the need for mental health services expanded, the foundation hired another therapist and will hire a Spanish-speaking therapist this spring.

As members of the LGBTQ+ community search for services that feel safe, UAF felt the community clinic was

By Peri Kinder | peri.k@thecityjournals.com

a natural step, based on a model used by health centers across the country.

“It will all be in the same location,” Afroz said. “One side will be mental health, one side will be medical, and programming is upstairs. It’s a unique model and that’s why we strongly feel it will make an impact in the community.”

Offering social activities, clinical care and a mind/ body/soul approach to healing, UAF provides services for any person living with HIV/AIDS or anyone who is part of the LGBTQ+ population. Services are provided whether a person is insured, uninsured, undocumented or underinsured.

UAF is the largest tester for HIV in the state and case managers serve nearly 200 people living with the disease. The foundation’s medical director, Dr. Susana Keeshin, is one of the top infectious disease providers in the state and sits on the board of the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Along with medical and mental health services, UAF offers educational presentations, including HIV 101 which is a basic understanding of HIV infection and transmission and how to reduce risk. The trained volunteers can give presentations anywhere in Utah.

The foundation also offers food bank services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS and the UAF Thrive program encouraging healthy movement, nutrition, community and education. For more information, visit UtahAids. org.

“There’s a lot of pieces to what we do,” Afroz said.

“It’s been a long time of needing to grow. We were able to get into a new building and expand our services. One of the biggest gaps we’re seeing in Utah is looking at clinical care and general LGBTQ+ competent care and HIV care. We hope to open in June 2023. We really want to be able to celebrate Pride Month with the launch. It’s really amazing.” l

The Salt Lake County Council’s 2023 budget invests a record $5 million to create and improve open space projects in the county. (File photo City Journals)

(From left) Shiya Zeng, Ahmer Afroz, Ellie Echeverio, Ryan Gibbs, Bobbi Farnsworth, Chelsea Mitchell and Jared Hafen work at the Utah AIDS Foundation, which just received a $2 million grant from Salt Lake County to support the capital costs of the foundation’s new community health center. (Photo courtesy of UAF)

Featuring our Free w

Healthy eating in a new year

By Holly Curby | hello@hollycurby.com

Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Did you already break it, or give it up entirely?

The most popular New Year’s resolution that appears on people’s lists year after year focuses on health and physical wellness such as exercising more, getting more sleep, losing weight, and making healthier choices when eating. However, after one week only 75% are successful at keeping it and only 46% end up keeping it after six months.

Working with a dietitian can actually provide many benefits to attaining this goal of being a healthy new you in 2023 and beyond. Benefits include:

- Nutritional advice that is tailored just for you

- Help managing chronic diseases or illnesses

- Assistance navigating special needs such as food allergies or sensitivities or recent weight gain or loss

- Education in understanding of nutrition, including what that looks like while shopping at the grocery store, cooking a meal at home or eating out

I recently sat down with Melanie Taylor, a dietitian with Harmons Grocery, to talk all things healthy eating in hopes of helping

you keep and reach those health and physical wellness goals. “Fueling when you’re starting a new exercise regimen or just for overall health is really important,” Taylor said. “We tend to cut calories and cut food, but you’re not going to be able to get what you want out of your workouts or your activities if you’re not properly fueling your body at all times.”

So, when it comes to focus on fueling our fitness goals Taylor provides the following tips:

- Pre-workout needs to start with a good source of carbohydrates one to two hours prior to your workout (fruit, breads, grains)

- Post-workout is a good time for well-rounded meals or snacks with some protein, carbohydrates, and heart-healthy fats typically 30 minutes to one hour after you end a workout (nuts and seeds, avocado toast)

Dehydration peaks during the winter months as we tend not to have the thirst perception as we do when it’s warm outside. Whatever your water drinking goals are, Taylor suggests adding some variety by trying sparkling water, infused water, herbal teas—whatever helps in staying hydrated. Just make sure to stay away from the dehydration culprit—soda.

Now you c a n fi na l ly have a l l of t he soot h ing benefit s of a rela x ing wa rmbat h, or enjoy a c onvenient ref re sh ing shower wh i le se ated or st a nd ing w it h Sa fe Step Wa l k-In Tub ’ s

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Now you ca n ha ve t he be st of bot h wor l d s – t he re i s n’t a bet te r, more a ord a bl e wa l k - in t u b !

Harmons dietitian Melanie Taylor prepping for a nutritional tour. (Photo courtesy of Holly Curby and Harmons Grocery)

Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol or have a family history of heart disease should watch their sodium intake, but it’s even more vital to get a rainbow-colored variety of foods—purples, greens, reds, oranges, etc. Taylor suggests that cooking methods such as roasting vegetables can help bring out natural flavors of produce and therefore can help us in having a good variety of foods in our healthy eating plan.

When it comes to meal plans the top five are Mediterranean, gluten free, Paleo, vegan and low carb whole food diets. “Pick the one that you will be able to maintain forever,” Taylor said. “Don’t fall for these fad type of diets and things that are a quick fix. If it’s something that you aren’t willing or able to do for your whole life, it’s probably not going to be a beneficial eating style for you.” Regardless of meal plans, the following can help you eat nutritiously:

- Portion out food so that you don’t overeat

- Plan out your menu for the week to avoid the temptation of eating out every night or snacking on junk food

- Pre-pack snacks that are high nutrient quality foods (nuts, hard boiled eggs, string cheese, fruit cups, parfaits) to take with you on the go to avoid grabbing those high calorie snacks from convenient stores

- Pre-prep meals for those busy days (prep meals in bulk, make freezer meals for future last-minute options, pre-chop items

needed for meals throughout the week)

- Check nutritional and dietitian labels when shopping in the grocery store to help make better choices when selecting various food items

Harmons Grocery makes label reading much easier with their gluten free, vegan free, dietitian’s choice, and other nutritional labeling in stores. They also offer convenient park and load, and if you join their complimentary loyalty program you can save money on gas and earn free food. Harmons also offers cooking classes, one-on-one nutritional counseling, tailored recipe recommendations, nutrition seminars and more. Connect with a dietitian or sign up for a class at harmonsgrocery.com. Here’s to achieving those health and physical wellness New Year’s resolutions where you’ll be on your way to eating healthy in 2023.

Want more help in figuring out all the puzzle pieces to eating healthy in this new year? Learn more from Melanie on Holly’s Highlights podcast, season 4, episode 1. Holly’s Highlights podcast is available at www. hollycurby.com wherever you listen to podcasts including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, or just say, “Alexa, play Holly’s Highlights podcast.”l

If you’d told me 20 years ago that I’d be a yoga instructor, I’d have laughed hard enough to tear a hamstring because I was very inflexible.

I took my first yoga class as a dare. My tennis instructor laughed at how tight I was and challenged me to try yoga. I hated every minute of that stupid class. I hated the words and I hated the poses and I hated the teacher and I loathed downward facing dog with a fiery passion.

But I realized my tennis instructor was right. My muscles were as tight as two-byfours, but less bendy. So I kept going back to yoga. Hated it every single time.

After about two months of practicing yoga, I noticed, little by little, my flexibility was improving. I could almost touch my toes without the usual amount of grunting and tears. My hips didn’t scream out loud while doing pigeon pose. My shoulders dropped away from my ears, where I’d held them at strict attention for decades. Even my back stopped hurting each time I rolled out of bed.

I grudgingly had to admit yoga wasn’t the hippy-dippy dumpster fire I thought it was. But learning the poses was just the beginning. As I explored yoga’s history, philosophy and favorite recipes, I came to realize yoga was a lifestyle that encouraged, nay demanded, self-love and com-

Peri Kinder Life and Laughter

passion.

Yikes. As a lifelong subscriber to self-loathing, I wasn’t sure how to handle that type of ideology. Just like when I started the physical practice, I took lots of tiny, baby steps toward accepting myself as a worthy human.

Fast forward 20 years and not only do I teach yoga but I LOVE yoga with a fiery passion. Yoga has changed me in so many ways. I used to be sarcastic, cynical and snarky but after studying yoga for so many years, I’m a sarcastic, cynical and snarky yoga instructor.

See. People change.

I’m also much less judgmental. I’m not so hard on myself and I give most people the benefit of the doubt. Most people. Maybe someone can propose a bill that would require our legislators to take a yoga class each morning before discussing the divisive and harmful bills proposed

this year. OK, when it comes to our lawmakers, I’m still pretty judgmental.

Being a yoga instructor is super silly. As an instructor, I get to say things in class that don’t make a whole lot of sense, and my students listen to me!

I’ll say, “Breathe in through your collarbones, breathe out through your kneecaps. Inhale to fill up your armpits, exhale to release tension in the ear lobes.”

Or I’ll instruct students to “Melt into the mat, send energy out of your fingertips, ground through your sitz bones, wring out your body and lengthen the crown of your head.” And I’m totally serious. (Laugh emoji)

My yoga practice has evolved from trying to do the most difficult poses and making my students sweat and swear, to focusing on deep stretches and stress-reducing breathing exercises.

It isn’t about who can be the bendy-est or the one who can hold crow pose for five minutes. It’s about appreciating what my body can do today. Not what I think it should do or what I want it to do tomorrow, but what it can accomplish right now.

I appreciate all the yoga teachers who took this rigid block of a body and mind and transformed it into a pliable, warm and accepting human being. My hamstrings thank you. l

“Dozens of doctors told me that there was nothing more that they could do to expect to be in a wheel chair. I went from the top 1% in the army Special Forces to being in so much pain that I could not tie my shoe or hold my new daughter. I did physical therapy and pain killers for years, but nothing worked. Finally, I went to Dr. Smith and I improved exactly as he told me I would. I couldn’t believe it! My wife cried, “I have my husband back.”

—Steve M., Army Special Forces

D.C. CSCS Chiropractic Physician